Income Tax · 5 min read
Documents Needed to File Your ITR (AY 2026-27) — Full Checklist
By the India Law Simplified editorial team · Verified against primary government sources (bare Acts & official portals) · Last updated 2026-07-06
Gathering the right papers before you start makes ITR filing fast and error-free. Here is the practical checklist for a salaried or small-income taxpayer for AY 2026-27.
1Identity & account basics
- PAN and Aadhaar (must be linked)
- Bank account details (for refund) and any pre-validated account
- Last year's ITR / acknowledgement, if any
2Income proofs
- Form 16 from each employer (salary and TDS)
- Form 16A / 16B / 16C for TDS on interest, property sale, or rent
- Bank and post-office interest certificates / passbook entries
- Capital gains statements from your broker or mutual-fund house
- Rental income details, if you own let-out property
3The two statements to reconcile against
Always cross-check your numbers with Form 26AS (tax credit statement) and the Annual Information Statement (AIS) on the portal. These show the income and TDS the department already has on record — mismatches are the top reason returns get flagged.
4Deduction proofs (old regime)
- 80C: LIC, PPF, ELSS, EPF, children's tuition, home-loan principal
- 80D: health insurance premium receipts
- Home-loan interest certificate (Section 24)
- 80CCD(1B): NPS contribution proof
- Donation receipts (80G), education-loan interest (80E)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Form 16 to file my return?
It helps but is not strictly mandatory — you can file using your salary slips, AIS and Form 26AS. Form 16 just makes it easier and accurate.
What if my Form 16 and AIS don't match?
Reconcile the difference before filing and report the correct figures. You can submit feedback on incorrect AIS entries on the portal.
Is this tax advice?
No. Your exact documents depend on your income sources. Confirm with a CA if your situation is complex.
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Income-tax regime calculator · Form 16 → ITR computation
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